PAUL NEWMAN: England must win 4-0 to keep Australia down, so rest Anderson and let Tremlett loose on his patch

It is desperately important that England go on to win the Ashes 4-0. They cannot give Australia a break, not with the return series coming hot on the heels of this one.

Remember all those dark series defeats when, somehow, England would claw back a consolation win, invariably at The Oval, and take a bit of solace from another heavy beating? They cannot afford to allow Australia that crumb of comfort because they must keep them down with a view to November.

The Aussies were bad enough after they had the better of a rain-affected draw at Old Trafford.

On the rampage: England claimed a third victory in four Tests to win their third straight Ashes series

The writing's on the wall: After Australia saw off the new ball, they appeared set for victory, but an inspired spell of bowling from Stuart Broad, who accounted for the key wicket of Michael Clarke (above), saw England taste victory

Suddenly history was being rewritten and even though England had retained the Ashes in 14 days Australia were talking as if they were the better side and what used to be normal service was about to be resumed.

Imagine what would have happened had Australia won at Chester-le-Street, as they really should have done after the start David Warner and Chris Rogers had given them to their run chase.

England would have been facing all sorts of questions and Shane Warne would have been unbearable.

The fact is England are 3-0 up without being at anything like their best which, depending on how you look at it, is a big positive or a huge worry approaching a series in Australia that is bound to be a lot tougher than this one.

The first thing England must do is ensure their mindset is right going into the final Test at The Kia Oval and that they treat next week’s match as if it is the first game of the return series rather than a dead rubber in this one.

To that end they have two big decisions to make: first, whether to stick with Jonny Bairstow at six, and then whether to give their attack leader Jimmy Anderson a rest after it became evident in the fourth Test that his Herculean efforts at Trent Bridge had taken more out of him than we imagined.

Stick with it: Jonny Bairstow should play at The Oval at six despite his recent struggles

Prize asset: James Anderson has looked jaded in the past couple of Tests and could be rested at The Oval

England will almost certainly stick with Bairstow and I believe they would be right to do so. He may only have one half-century in the series and he clearly has a technical problem that needs to be worked on but he is a rare talent who deserves at least the whole of the series to prove it. Remember it is one of England’s strengths that they do not chop and change personnel too often any more; witness how Australia have done that in this series, almost certainly to their detriment.

When a big decision has to be made, England can be ruthless — remember the demotion of Nick Compton ahead of the Ashes — but usually they get it right, as they did in picking Tim Bresnan in Durham amid calls for Graham Onions to play on his home ground.

The Anderson question is trickier. Andy Flower intimated that he would be fine for The Oval in the aftermath of the Durham drama but in the cold light of day it will be a call that needs careful thought.

The right choice: Tim Bresnan fully justified his selection in the fourth Test, picking up key wickets and scoring a priceless 45 in the second innings

In the frame: Chris Tremlett (right) ripped through Australia Down Under in the last Ashes series and could wreak similar havoc at his home ground

Anderson is priceless to England and they will want him at the helm of their attack for at least another two or three years. As such they need to look after him and it is almost certain that he will miss the one-day series that follows the fifth Test with, as usual, almost indecent haste.

Chris Tremlett has, by all accounts, been very impressive in the nets ahead of the last three Tests and is seen as a key figure when England venture to Australia, where he was so successful last time.I would throw him in now on his home ground and let him ruffle up a few Australians to show them what will be in store for them on the bouncier pitches this winter.

Anderson, meanwhile, should be wrapped up in cotton wool and told to report back for Brisbane.

Bumble's World - what caught David Lloyd's eye this week

The good

It's time for Twenty20 finals day again on Saturday! Cricket’s big day out! People always ask if I miss playing and this is one day that I would love to have taken part in. It’s good fun and the rewards are great for the players. I thought Hampshire looked the best side in the competition when I saw them early doors while Northants — watch out for David Willey — will be dark horses and Surrey, I think, rank outsiders. I will be there on my crutches but I won’t be chasing around with the mascots — I’m going to leave that to Hussain or Knight!

Hands on: David Willey has been rewarded for his superb one-day form for Northampton this season with a call-up to the England Lions

The bad

I have been really disappointed at the criticism of umpires during the Ashes. I’ve done the job and I can tell you when a ball crashes into the pads and bat at 85mph-plus it’s bloody difficult to know what it’s hit first. And the batter isn’t going to tell you! The DRS really helps and I will concede that umpires haven’t always used it properly this year. It’s brilliant when it’s working well and, remember, it provides five per cent more correct decisions than even the most elite naked eye. And for all of those piling in to these guys, I say — you have a go and see how you get on!

Coming under flak: Umpires Aleem Dar and Tony Hill have attracted criticism for their decision-making

Newman's final word

The spectre of corruption has reappeared too close to home for comfort with news that all-rounder Darren Stevens, 37, of Kent has been accused of failing to report a corrupt approach during the tainted Bangladesh Premier League, where he played for Dhaka Gladiators.

The charge is, of course, much less serious than spot-fixing itself but, if proven, Stevens must be punished as an athlete would for missing a drug test. The dangers are far too severe for cricket to turn a blind eye.